We will carry momentum, says Virat Kohli

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The slow track in Hyderabad exposed the English batsmens’ susceptibility to spinners and star Indian batsmen Virat Kohli feels that the India will continue to exploit the chink in their armour in the ongoing five match ODI series.

“The English batsmen struggled against the spinners in the first ODI and we are taking it as our strength. We wish to use this to our advantage and consolidate in the middle overs in the coming games,” Virat said here on Sunday.

England pacer Jade Dernbach however, felt otherwise. “It was not just that our batsmen could not negotiate spin well at Hyderabad but we faltered in all three departments of the game. We have to find a way out for that in the future games,” the South African-born seamer said.

Virat, who has featured in only two ODIs on his home ground, finds the new rules confusing but is sure that they would make the game more exciting.

“It is a good change. But the run-out rule is a little vague, no one knows when the obstruction rule will apply. It might turn out to be more exciting eventually but in the first match it was confusing,” Virat said.

Asked how he could teach the others to be fast movers in the field, Kohli advised them to enjoy fielding as the crowd got behind the players then. The Delhi boy was also all praise for his young colleagues, who put up a spirited performance in the first ODI. “A performance like that will give them a lot of confidence and will be good learning curve. They will be ready in future,” he said.

Skipper M.S. Dhoni’s unbeaten 87 set up India’s win in Hyderabad and the English bowlers are well aware of how dangerous the Indian skipper can be.

“Dhoni is a world class player. We need to find a way to get him out early because India has done well in the games he has performed,” Dernbach said.